PgmNr D1349: The influence of misregulation of inositol trisphosphate receptor on a Drosophila model of MJD.

Authors:
D. Hahn; J. Warrick


Institutes
Richmond Univ., Richmond, VA.


Keyword: neural degeneration

Abstract:

Spinocerebellar ataxia 3, more commonly known as Machado Joseph Disease (MJD), is a fatal, hereditary disease characterized by muscle control loss and neuronal degeneration. Inositol Trisphosphate Receptor (IP3R) expression is a crucial component of the calcium-mediated signaling mechanism in cells and has been linked to other similar neurodegenerative diseases. Thus we investigated the effects of IP3R on the progression of MJD. Using a Drosophila model for MJD, IP3R expression was first upregulated and found to increase neurodegeneration in flies over the course of seven days as compared to control models. IP3R expression was then downregulated via RNAi which was found to decrease neurodegeneration after seven days. Based on these results, it has been concluded that IP3R is a significant factor of the overall MJD progression mechanism. Future experiments will be conducted to accurately describe the role of IP3R signaling in MJD pathology.



Flybase Genetic Index:
1. FlyBase gene symbol: Itp-r83A; FBgn: FBgn0010051